xbla
Latest
Crash Dummies on XBLA?
It looks like Twelve Interactive's Crash Dummy Vs. The Evil D-Troit -- currently bound for the PSP, PC, DS, PS2, and Wii -- might be making an appearance on Xbox Live Arcade. According to the game's licensing consultant, SIC, "we have great faith in Crash Dummy & Twelve Interactive. We are also in discussions to put up the title on 360 live arcade. I am sure our partnership will result in many successful games together". We've never heard of the title before, but any new Arcade game is fine by us. See a video of the game after the break.
Lumines Live pricing change planned?
The guys at Xboxic obtained this promising message from Xbox Customer Support:Thanks for contacting XBOX Customer Support, Luminous Live is known to have some issues regarding unsatisfactory in it's download. Please wait until Monday to see wether we have any updates regarding this issue. Do not download or purchase anything else that has to be dealt with Luminous Live. Until then, feel free to contact us via telephone for any updates of this issue and what we can offer you. For any questions regarding this issue, please contact Xbox customer support on http://www.xbox.com/support/contact/ Thanks for time and support, XBOX customer service team. This communique raises a series of intriguing questions?: 1. Will Microsoft lower, or otherwise alter, the much-hated pricing structure for Luminous, or rather Lumines Live? The unusual step of instructing consumers not to buy an XBLA game indicates that they will.2. If so, will MS reimburse the unlucky saps who alread shelled out for the "complete" game in its current usurious form?3. Is grammatical English just too much to ask of a certain percentage of the Xbox Customer Service Team?
Mortal Kombat spears Xbox Live in the chest
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is now available on Xbox Live. The gore-fest made a brief appearance last night and promptly vanished with a puff of smoke, only to reappear sometime after midnight. We suspect the decision was made following its accidental release last night, though those among us with tinfoil hats purport that Microsoft is orchestrating the entire mishap to keep our minds off of more luminary XBLA headlines.Costing 800 MS points, UMK3 is sporting current-week and all-time leaderboards, online two-on-two multiplayer, and four player "winner-stays-on" online tournaments. According to Major Nelson, many people are not seeing the game show up, to which he assures us that he is "escalating." Which likely means that he is telling his superiors, and not riding escalators up and down over and over again to his little heart's content.[Thanks to every one who sent this in.]
MS laments Lumines confusion; new packs in 2007
John Porcaro, Senior Group Manager in Microsoft's Global Games Marketing Team, has responded to the Lumines Live fallout on the official Gamerscore Blog. Porcaro admits that "when we said 'full version,' we didn't make what that meant clear enough." He also reveals that the VS CPU and Mission / Puzzle packs will be released in 2007, as well as an Artist Pack that features music video skins (pictured).For those just tuning in, Lumines Live has been released on Xbox Live, but there's a catch. For 1200 MS points (that's $15 in old money), you receive 12 skins for the the basic version of the game, multiplayer, time attack mode, and samplers of VS CPU, Mission and Puzzle modes. Many of those who purchased the game (self included) were outraged by what was marketed as the "full version" of Q Entertainment's puzzler. Ultimately, it appears the full version of the game (Artist Pack notwithstanding) will cost gamers 3000 MS Points ($37.50), more than the cost of any retail version of Lumines.Here's a query: how much more content was added by upgrading the demo to the $15 basic pack? We don't have a problem with the business model, but perhaps a lot of fury could have been avoided had Q Entertainment not charged (or charged much less) for the base pack and instead released that as the free sampler.Despite our temperament, it is assuring to know that Microsoft is listening to the community.[Via 1UP]
Castle Crashers is racist, claims strange interpretation
GameTrailers recently received an alarming phone message referencing a Castle Crashers clip that the site had posted during PAX 06. A babbling voice was insisting that The Behemoth's upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title was racist, depicting "brown and black characters" being slaughtered by "pure-white characters." It sounds absurd -- it is absurd. But for someone who seems so obviously removed from mainstream gaming culture and the intentions of The Behemoth, could Castle Crashers be rationally interpreted as racist?The message has since been overlaid on top of gameplay footage (see embedded video), giving us a chance to inspect its claim. Interestingly, if we suspend our understanding of the game -- that is, if remove this clip from the context of mainstream gaming culture -- we see what appears to be white figures mercilessly butchering brown and black characters. If we also take into account that a history of racist media and entertainment exists (often guised in cartoonish fashion), than the interpretation in question is actually not absurd. But the interpretation is, we must contend, inaccurate.
Xbox Live 4 million and counting
Microsoft has proudly announced that Xbox Live has reached ... 4 Million dollars users. The release, featured on Gamerscore Blog, details some of Xbox Live's impressive numbers. For example over 70% of connected users have downloaded content, Live Arcade demos average 24% demo-to-purchase conversion rates (UNO is 50%!), and over a billion hours have been spent by users online since Live launched in 2002. Even though we know that those 4 million users include Silver as well as Gold members, it's pretty impressive all the same. Microsoft expects 6 million users by June of next year. Let's do some math (it'll be fun). Find out how many Arcade demos you've downloaded. Now count up how many full versions you've bought. Now divide that number by the first one. Did you get 25%?[Via Joystiq]
Our Lumines Live! micro-rant
We know, it seems like all the news is about Lumines lately. It'll subside, we promise. Until then, however, we have to put in our two cents on a hot topic. No doubt you've read some of the reports about Lumines Live! and it's evil downloadable content. Either that, or you've discovered it yourself after clearing one round of Vs. CPU mode. We all knew that there was an "Advance" pack coming, but if you were under the impression that the "Advance" pack would make your game complete, you're wrong. Three times wrong. We think it's time for a rant.
Lumines Live is lacking in modes
So we paid the 1200 MS points ($15) for Lumines Live, knowing we will later have to purchase the Advanced Pack (600 MS points) to complete the deal. We load it up and play a couple of rounds in basic mode (we're proud of our 27,000 high score). We know advanced mode won't work yet for aforementioned reasons. We play mission mode ... for five levels. The rest will cost extra. We play puzzle mode ... for five levels. The rest will cost extra. We play VS CPU ... for ten levels. The rest will cost extra. According to the obnoxious messages, XBLM will soon be home to a Mission/Puzzle pack and a VS CPU pack. Assuming those cost about as much as the Advanced Pack (600 MS points apiece), we're looking at a total package of 3,000 MS points ($37.50). For reference, the Lumines II for PSP and Lumines Plus for PS2 are only $29.99 each. The Xbox Live version, then, is only worth it if you have no interest whatsoever in two of the extra packs. Microtransactions and a la carte gaming are the new business models (one that EA has embraced with open wallets), but we don't always have to like it. Make up your own mind if $7.50 more is worth the Xbox Live experience.
Share XBLA games on two Xbox 360s... legally
For those of you too cheap to pay full price for Xbox Live Arcade games, a poster on the CheapAssGamer forums has outlined a legal way to split the cost of XBLA downloads among two (or more) Xbox 360's and owners. All you need are a couple of 360 units and live accounts, a memory unit, and a friend who's willing to go halfsies for the game you want.The process exploits a loophole in the XBLA usage restrictions that lets you play downloaded games on other Xbox 360 consoles as long as you log in once with your Xbox Live profile. All you have to do is transfer your profile with a memory unit and log in and download the game to the second console. The split games are fully functional, even allowing multiplayer matches involving both half-owners.Of course, Microsoft could change its usage restrictions at any time, making this kind of splitting potentially risky. Still, paying $5 for Doom is twice as appealing as paying $10 for Doom.
X360F Contest: Win Lumines Live! [update 1]
Last night, the overlords at Joystiq bestowed upon us a free redemption code for the long awaited Lumines Live. We were faced with a serious moral dilemma. Do we keep the code for ourselves so that we can "review" the game, or do we give it away in a fantabulous contest. In the end, our "good" side won out, and we've decided to give it away! How do you win? Find out after the break.Update: The contest is now closed and the winner has been announced. See the winning entry and some honorable mentions here.
Trippy Space Giraffe video is "giraffetastic!" [update 1]
Let's be honest, Jeff Minter's Space Giraffe is nothing more than an updated Tempest 2000 (also Minter's creation), itself a remake of 1981's Tempest. The upcoming XBLA rail shooter brings to mind Geometry Wars and Rez in a big way, and this work-in-progress video includes licensed music and intentional Engrish. There isn't much about Space Giraffe that is original or innovative ... but still it looks like insane fun. Let none of that stop you from enjoying some ultra-trippy video, set to the tune of Aphex Twin (Warning: NSFW). The YouTube video is pretty shoddy in quality, so we recommend going to Xboxyde for a slightly crisper experience. "Congraturation! You success! A winner is you! But our giraffe is in another castle!" [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy] [Update 1: So, as it turns out, Richard David James has yet to multiply himself through meiosis or any other similar process. Ooopsies, singularity has won.]
Stop crying, Lumines Live! hits XBLA tomorrow [update 2]
About frackin' time news now, with the announcement that tomorrow's Xbox Live Arcade release is none other than Tetsuya Mizuguchi's plummeting block opus, Lumines Live!. Priced at 1200 MS Points ($15), the game features 12 different skins (or levels, for the uninitiated), 5.1 surround sound, online multiplayer, a bevy of single-player modes and a vaguely inspirational message transmitted through pulsating lights and spinning squares. So, what happened to all that stuff you had to buy seperately? It's called the Advance Pack. An optional download costing 600 MS Points ($7.50) will add 22 more skins into the game -- and that's it. Considering the value of HD graphics and enhanced sound in a game which heavily relies on hypnotic presentation, $22.50 for a new Lumines title with 34 skins doesn't seem like a terrible deal, certainly not to those still addicted to the original game. Of course, not being able to play it on the bus may come as a significant loss to you, not to mention the curious fact that the main game has fewer skins than the add-on. Stack blocks and defy sweeping timelines (if you're so inclined) on Xbox Live Arcade from Wednesday morning, 1:00AM PDT (0800 GMT). The full press release is embedded after the break. [Update 1: Now includes interview with Mark Coates, program manager for Xbox Live Arcade.] [Update 2: The Advance Pack is nowhere to be seen. Major Nelson says it'll arrive at a "later date."]
Lumines Live hits tomorrow [update 1]
A day with no Live. Thousands were faced with a difficult proposition. Do nothing ,or go outside. Fear not, pasty gamers, Microsoft understands what you have gone through. As a reward, you can download Lumines Live tomorrow! It's finally here! Starting tomorrow at 8:00 GMT (1:00 AM PDT), it's yours for the downloadin'. Remember that constant whining sound reverberating across the internet? That was all the fanboys (us included) just waiting for Lumines to finally drop. You should all be grateful that the constant droning will finally cease. Just in time for the new whining to begin: "1200 points! Whaaaaa!" And that's before we get into the soon-to-be-controversial 600 point "Advance Pack." Oy.But seriously, it's Lumines. Hooray, Lumines!Update: Major Nelson has let the world know that the "Advance Pack" is not available yet. It will come out later, presumably when everyone's addiction will force them to purchase it.
Help us put Bubble Bobble on XBLA
It was a month and a half ago when we began our series, "That should be on XBLA," in which we pick a classic game that would be a perfect fit for Xbox Live Arcade. The first game we picked was Taito's perennial action puzzler, Bubble Bobble. The idea behind "That should be on XBLA" is to get developers to notice that their games belong on Xbox Live Arcade.It looks like Taito was listening. Taito's publishing company, Empire Interactive, has a thread running in their forum right now, which reads thusly:"Hi All I hope you can help us out with a bit of retro advice, If you were to pay to download a Taito Classic what would your top 3 be ?? Also, without giving the game away :) would online multiplayer be important to you downloading it ?? Come on guys - post your lists and let us know what you want."While the post doesn't directly mention Xbox Live, we're pretty sure that's what this is all about. We're also pretty sure he's talking about Bubble Bobble with that question about online multiplayer. Note to Taito: hell yes, online multiplayer is important!So, make your voices heard, loyal readers! Registering for Empire Interactive's forums is a snap. Go do it and tell 'em what you want (and don't forget to tell them who sent you). Our list looks like this: Bubble Bobble Arkanoid New Zealand Story It's not like you can play any Xbox Live today anyway. You might as well do something constructive.[Via Xboxic]See Also:That should be on XBLA series
That should be on XBLA: Raiden
It's been a while, but it's time again for another exciting edition of "That should be on XBLA." This week, it's the arcade classic, Raiden (no, not that effeminate guy from MGS). If you've never played Raiden, then all you really need to know is that it's chock-full of shootery goodness. Read on to to discover the joy of Raiden.
Tiger Woods content is cheating
We swear, we don't just come to work wondering how we can hate on EA. Honestly, we don't, but we couldn't help pointing something out. There's a new batch of downloadable content for Tiger Woods 07. Sure, everyone loves downloadable content, but this new "content" stinks.Unlock Golfer:-200 pointsPro Shop – 300 pointsMaxed out Player – 200 pointsUnlock Courses – 200 pointsAs a quick explanation, all of these downloads unlock content in the game. The thing is, it unlocks content in the game that you can unlock just by playing it. What it comes down to is that EA is basically charging us for cheat codes. You want every single golfer in the game, but you don't want to unlock them yourself? That'll be $2.50. Maybe you'd like to have every item in the Pro Shop. No problem: $3.75. Can't be bothered to raise your golfer's stats? Easy, we'll max him out for $2.50. And of course, what good is a maxed out golfer if he can't play on those pesky locked courses. We'll just unlock those for another $2.50.Now, we're not going to completely condemn this. Many people have complained that they don't have time to unlock things in their games. All they want is to be able to play with their friends, using all the same content. That's all well and good, but we can't help feeling that things like this are chipping away at the soul of gaming. Seriously, why play the game at all if you're just going to strip it of all accomplishment? Put simply, it's bullsh*t. And probably a goldmine for EA. God help us all if Konami charges us for "the code" when Contra hits XBLA.
XBLA videos from Digital Life
Godfree and the gang at Gamertag Radio have been having a blast at Digital Life in NYC. And just to rub it in our faces, they have posted several shaky cam videos of themselves playing upcoming Xbox Live Arcade games. See video of Small Arms, Assault Heroes and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 after the break. Which one are you most excited for?
XBL down for maintenance on Oct. 17th
Major Nelson sends word that the Xbox Live network will soon disappear into a nebulous offline abyss for some maintenance. Currently scheduled for Tuesday, 17 October and expected to last for 24 hours, attempts by your Xbox 360 to connect to Live will be met with unnerving digital silence. Mark the date on your calendars and be sure to reschedule your planned sessions of disconnecting early, screaming into your headset and informing other players of their sexual orientation.The official Xbox website will also be taken down and worked upon in order to accomodate "some secret cool stuff." None of which, as the site insists, includes a dashboard update. Incidentally, 17 October is also the release date for Splinter Cell: Double Agent. [Via Major Nelson]
Dig Dug gets dug up on XBLA
How many digs can a Dig Dug dig before a Dig Dug can't be dug? Can you dig it?
Dig Dug inflates XBLA, pops it
After some mystery regarding its release date on Xbox.com, Namco's classic arcade title Dig Dug is finally on Xbox Live Arcade, joining other Namco arcade classic titles like Pac-Man and Galaga. After Doom's surprise release two week's ago and last week's Vision cam freebie, Totem Ball, Dig Dug is a return to everyone's least favorite XBLA additions. 400 Microsoft Points ($5 USD) nets you a game you've played dozens of times.So what have they done to entice cynical, reticent gamers? Well, they've added 720p HD support, some XBL Achievements, and the obligatory online Leaderboards, but don't expect any online multiplayer (we're sure they could have come up with something). The only two titles left sitting on the "Coming Soon" list are Contra and Lumines Live!, both with unlisted dates. Who's gonna be next?[image credit: i am 8-bit]
